Overview

Designed for practicing physical therapists, the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an innovative, 100% online program. Integrating art and science, as well as professional and experiential education, the degree curriculum provides you with the necessary knowledge base for today’s doctorally prepared practitioners.

Core courses within this physical therapy doctoral program include differential diagnosis and medical screening, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, nutrition, and motor control. The capstone course, Comprehensive Case Analysis, is a culmination of all work within the transitional DPT curriculum. Students will prepare a comprehensive and publishable case report or other scholarly work in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.

The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy also includes concentrations in a variety of areas such as orthopaedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, advanced nutrition, women's health, education, and business management. If you have a unique concentration interest, you may also complete a directed study on a pre-approved topic of your choosing.

Career Outlook

By the year 2020, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) envisions that the clinical DPT will become the profession’s terminal degree. In addition, degree-holders can expect to enjoy excellent job prospects for years to come.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow much faster than average for the foreseeable future. This growth can be attributed to an increasing elderly population, as well as medical and technological advancements—all of which are expected to drive demand for advanced rehabilitative and therapeutic services.

One recent DPT graduates wrote upon graduation, “A stagnant clinician is no longer acceptable. Today’s dynamic health care system requires an advanced clinician, and I believe this doctorate program provided the knowledge and practical skills a clinician needs to meet these demands. I, for one, feel I have evolved. I have left behind some old treatment patterns and comfort zones. Instead, I now strive to deliver the most current, evidence-based practice available.”

Curriculum

Please note:Students who started this program prior to Fall 2017 should follow the curriculum reflected on their DegreeWorks audits via the self-service tab of their myNEU portal. Please consult your advisor with any questions.

The transitional DPT degree is built upon a core of six courses. Beyond the common core, requirements may vary depending on whether the physical therapist is MSPT or BSPT prepared in addition to the student's past experiences.

Admissions Requirements

Statement of purpose (500-1000 words): identifying your educational goals and expectations from the program; please be aware that the University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to applicant's statement of purpose

Professional resume: Current resume that displays job responsibilities, relevant experience, and education history

Two letters of recommendation: from individual(s) with either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, such as a faculty member, current employer, mentor, or colleague

Academic transcripts:

Official undergraduate degree transcript in physical therapy OR Official graduate degree transcript in physical therapy AND official undergraduate degree transcript

Advanced standingmay be granted to students that are ABPTS certified or hold similar certifications..

Proof of English language proficiency--DPT: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language: English language proficiency guidelines. Applicants who have been licensed in physical therapy and practicing in the U.S. for 5-plus years will be granted a waiver for this requirement.

Tuition

Estimated total tuition for this program is $17,446.00.

Please note that the number of quarter hours required for graduation for this program is either 26 q.h. (if you enter with a master's degree) or 35 q.h. (if you enter with a bachelor's degree). This will affect total tuition for the program. The estimated total tuition listed above is based on 26 q.h.

Tuition for individual courses is based on the number of quarter hours. Most courses are 3-6 quarter hours. See Graduate Tuition Rates for details.

Use our Tuition Calculator below to see if transfer credit or tuition reimbursement from your employer could reduce your total tuition.

Tuition Calculator

Please note: The estimated total tuition is based on tuition rates for Academic Year 2017-18 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time.

*A maximum of 9 quarter hours of graduate- or doctoral-level credit obtained at another institution may be awarded as Advanced Graduate Credit to the Doctor of Education program.

Student Profile

Who Will Your Classmates Be?

The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is designed for practicing physical therapists who currently hold baccalaureate or master's degrees in physical therapy.

Learn Alongside Professionals Dedicated to a Cause

Petronella van der Merwe fell in love with physical therapy, even though she was discouraged from practicing medicine in her native South Africa because of her gender. After traveling abroad for her undergraduate degree and returning to South Africa to launch her own practice, she used the Northeastern College of Professional Studies' Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy to stay current in the field and learn new and exciting skills.

"Because of its emphasis on evidence-based practice, it’s made me a more well-rounded therapist,” she said. “ I felt rejuvenated in my work.”

Leah H.

Program: Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Graduation Date: 2015

What she learned from her classmates:“I appreciated the varied clinical backgrounds and ages of my colleagues and their input on the discussion board. My classmates shared their clinical experiences and expanded my knowledge of other physical therapy work environments and various types of patients.”

Why she chose the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program:“Northeastern has an excellent reputation as a quality school with clinical applications. This program has had a direct impact on my clinical practice. I can apply what I have learned directly to my patients. The online program, the professors, and the Dean of this program, have not only met my expectations but also exceeded them.”

Kristin, PT, DPT, MS

Program:Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Graduation Date: October 2010

About her favorite class: "I enjoyed every course offered in this program. I found each course provided me with a deeper understanding of the evidence of my profession and with real life skills I could use immediately. My favorite course was Comprehensive Case Analysis which taught me how to develop a publishable piece of scholarly work."

About her classmates: "My classmates were from all over the country and abroad. I learned how physical therapy is practiced in many areas of the country. My classmates' experience ranged from 1-2 years to 30 years, allowing me to see the profession as a whole and incorporate a wide variety of perspectives into my learning throughout the program."

Foreign-Trained PT

Foreign-Trained Physical Therapists

The tDPT program is for individuals who are licensed in the United States or eligible to be licensed in the United States. In order to be license-eligible in the United States, applicants must have the equivalent of a master’s degree in physical therapy that was earned in the United States. In order to make this determination, your physical therapy coursework must be evaluated.

If your previous coursework is determined to be the equivalent of a U.S. master’s degree, you will be eligible for acceptance into the program. If your coursework is found not to be the equivalent of a U.S. master’s program in physical therapy, you will need to complete the coursework outlined in your evaluation prior to applying to the tDPT program.

Application Process

Select “graduate” as level, “non-degree course enrollment” as degree, and "Personal or Professional Enrichment" as your intended program of study on your application

Submit your official undergraduate transcripts with degree conferral date. (Official as opposed to unofficial in case transcripts need to be sent for CED evaluation)

Submit FCCPT(preferred) IERF, ICD, or ICA credential evaluation

Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language

Learning Outcomes

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Specialized KnowledgeInterpret the major theories, research methods and approaches to inquiry and schools of practice in the field of physical therapy, articulate their sources, and illustrate both their applications and their relationships to allied fields of study.

Broad and Integrative KnowledgeArticulate the significance and implications of the work in physical therapy in terms of challenges and trends in another field such as health informatics, professional communication, or medical research.

Civic and Global LearningPropose a path to resolution of a problem in physical therapy to respond to challenges at the national and international level based on advanced concepts related to clinical management of patients.

Experiential LearningSynthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within course work or beyond the classroom.